AUBURN – AARP hosted a forum recently to shed light on the issue of lifetime financial security. The forum, an effort to educate and promote discussion among Auburn and Lewiston residents, is part of a Divided We Fail series of similar forums and meetings in all 50 states.

Divided We Fail seeks effective government action on health and financial security issues and represents millions of Americans who make up a diverse cross-section of the country.

More than 100 AARP and community members heard a panel of experts talk about how to keep retirement financially secure for this generation and the next. Congressman Mike Michaud gave the opening remarks, followed by a panel consisting of Rep. Gary Knight, District 81; Lesley Linfield, executive director, Institute for Financial Literacy; Tim Belcher, executive director, MSEA/SEIU; and AARP Board Member Robert Romasco.

“These are tough economic times and people are doing what they can to save and conserve,” said Michaud. “The bottom line is that health care is too expensive and retirement savings are often times inadequate. On top of all of these concerns, the budgets of American families are being strained by skyrocketing gas prices. We are now way past finger pointing and playing the blame game. Congress needs to break out of its old way of doing things and come together to solve these crucial issues.”

Divided We Fail will be working throughout 2008 and beyond to end the political gridlock and push for quality, affordable health care and life-time financial security.

Forums are one aspect of the effort as Divided We Fail will continue to engage elected officials, the media, business leaders and the public.

“With the rising cost of health care and increasing challenges to achieving financial security, it is important that we stand together and send a strong message to the politicians in this country that we need change,” said Romasco. “As elections are coming up later this year, we have a great opportunity to make our voices heard and bring about real change.”

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole.

AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. AARP has 241,000 members in Maine.